Hosting Services

Hosting services primary difference from cloud computing is that the hosted service provider is expected to provide servers for applications requested by the client or user. Therefore, a hosted environment can involve both the service provider and the client needing to learn about how the applications will interact with those offered by the service provider and those proposed by the client. Furthermore, most hosted environments are shared and although virtual machines are built running separate applications, one virtual server failure can affect another.

Interestingly, Broadvox delivers hosted communications with some customization but we do not allow for client provided applications to be loaded onto those servers. In that sense, we offer a hybrid hosted solution but we are not alone with that business model. Hybrid hosted solutions have predefined functionality that is customized to fit a particular customer or business verticals. Ultimately, the key difference between cloud computing and hosted is up to the provider. Cloud computing tends to be application based with the clear option of shared or dedicated servers. Hosted services tend to be a solution or the integration of multiple applications and potentially onsite technologies to provide a clear benefit to the customer. As an example, most hosted communications platforms delivering PBX functionality that have a certified selection of phones, routers and IADs in order for the solution to work.

Hosted solutions do share the same key benefits as cloud computing such as established and working applications, easy access, reduce costs and minimal to no capital expenditures. However, they go further by delivering integrated applications which require more expertise on the part of the service provider rather than the customer. Unified Communications as a Solution (UCaaS) represents the integration of various sophisticated and simple applications to provide real time communications and collaboration.

The line between cloud computing and hosted services is blurred in many circumstances. The one offering that has clear and steady differentiation is managed services. That we cover on Monday.

Before signing off, in case you missed this scientific study, Walking through Doors Causes Forgetting, it is worth reading especially for those who equate forgetfulness with age. Very interesting read.